Monday, October 13, 2008

Dullsville Welcomes You

The Wedding Ring Shawl is taunting me. I haven't touched it since realizing my latest mistake–I skipped an entire row in the chart–at the end of September.

I'm still knitting, but all my projects right now add up to one long snore, at least in the telling. There's a little sweater here. And a hat. And a striped scarf I'm making from what looks like Noro Kureyon

but is actually a budget-priced imitator I got at Threadbear–Kaleidoscope from Elegant Yarns. It doesn't have the ineffable shimmer of Kureyon, but it's pure wool and it cost eight bucks for 174 yards. I can deal with a lower shimmer rating for eight bucks.

I know what's going on. I've switched temporarily from knitting as thrill to knitting as anesthetic. I already have a full bucket of thrills, thank you. These include:

The thrill of having a new book on the shelves. (Or at least, according to my latest intelligence, on the way to the shelves–look for it early next week.)

The thrill of traveling to far-away places to meet wonderful knitters who want me to sign the book.

Such thrills run hand-in-hand with even more thrills, including:

The thrill of hurtling through space to the next signing praying my airplane will not suddenly plummet to earth.

The thrill of knowing that in the course of any given signing I will fail to recognize at least half the wonderful knitters I've seen before. (Among my friends I am notorious for this. I forget the names and faces of my own kin if it's been more than six months since our last meeting. "Why yes, we've been introduced. I'm your mother.")

The thrill of trying to make a living in the midst of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression by drawing funny pictures of sheep.

So I am knitting things that just go back and forth, or round and round. A slow fox trot, instead of a gay (shut up) tarantella.

I've only just discovered you (via the book announcement at Knitting Daily) but Love You, Love the blog, Love the book. Have added you to my Fantasy Dinner Party List. YOu are the best knitting writer I've ever read, & I've read lots.

It would be terrific, but unlikely that I'd see you when our travel patterns crossed so I'll wish you safe travels and lots of nodding smiles to cover the awkward moments...remeber, there's only one of you and lots of us!

I listened to the Knitmore Girls podcast where you were the "high Priest of knitting" being interviewed! Great conversation. It lasted for 45 minutes or so of walking. Knitting podcasts keep me going while I get some exercise :>)

I guess stalling out on the lace is one way of getting to keep it!

Are you coming to Dallas for a book signing? I'd love to meet you and get your book.

I'm sure you'll make it through this financial crisis with selling cartoons yarn to the massive subculture of knitting and calendars of men and yarn. Ka-ching, ka-ching. Birthday and Christmas right there.

My brother probably lives in your neighborhood if you run really tight on cash I'm sure I could talk him into letting you sleep on his couch for "a little while". He appreciates all things fiber related.

With an economic downturn or potential credit crunch this might just turn into a barter economy. Then knitting is going to really boom!

Oh, come now. I work on engines at the airplane company that makes the planes you fly on (most likely), and I shall say that Only Very Rarely do they plummet to the ground like so many oak tree seed helicopters. :D (It doesn't hurt that my friend and I are both allowed to knit in meetings..)

Who hasn't had his/her ass kicked by lace, eh? Give it a rest for a while, but don't let that pattern defeat you! Look at all the gorgeous lace you've knit before! Pick it back up, correct it, and give it hell, Franklin!

There is nothing wrong with 'boring knitting.' There are many a boring knit that are executed so well, with such an eye for color, that they are sublime. Not by me, mind you, but there are plenty of these glorious knits out there.

(Many of my boring knits still manage to look like they should be used on the dishes.)

and I thought I was the only one who could forget friends, acquaintenances, co-workers, relatives so easily... I'm terrible, just terrible... deep down I suspect and fear early onset of alzheimers. Can't wait to get the book before I forget! :-)

I am going to run a book group at Princeton Public Library using your book! The group will read the book and we will have a small, hands-on project to work on (an easy on for new knitters). I will let you know the details--very excited!

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